need to know about M1A's

[frogomatic]

I have an opportunity to purchase one new M1A(anything but match grade) from springfield at a very good price. right now I'm leaning toward a socom2.

Can anyone share a little knowledge about the new M1A's? Any problems or quirks to watch out for? how's reliability and accuracy? Any special care they need? I'd just like to hear a little about the rifle from some people who have owned/used one. like em, hate em, whatever?

 

[Onmilo]

Decent rifles.
The bolts, barrels, operating rods, and receivers are good.
Ditch the SA Inc. trigger group and install a genuine USGI trigger group.
If the rifles has USGI sights, super.
If it has the investment cast SA Inc. sight parts dump these and replace with USGI too.

A standard 22" rifle or an 18" Scout/Squad are better choices than the Socom versions.

 

[Dienekes]

Pretty good rifles. Shot M14s in the past, have an M1A with about 2K rounds through it since '96. Mine was a standard with med. hvy barrel and wood. Had NM mods and trigger worked on after a year or so of shooting it and like it just fine. Only reason it doesn't have more rounds through it is because I also like my Garands and M4gery too.

My personal opinion is that the basic rifle is just fine. The shortys are heavier, balance poorly, have a poor front sight design, and are mostly hype.

But then I could be a 12 year old kid from Manhattan writing this. You never know.

 

[GunTech]

Nothing wrong with SA rifles. I my opinion, the best value is the 'loaded'. Basic M1A upgraded with match trigger, sights and barrel.

I wouldn't worry too much about GI parts unless you have problems. GI originals are getting expensive.

Check out Warrifles.com. Lots of good info in the M1A/M14 section.

 

[frogomatic]

I'll use it mostly for hunting, and where i hunt it's very hilly, and there is lots of heavy cover, I don't get shots at more than 50-75 yards. Is range the only advantage of the longer barreled versions?

 

[GunTech]

Range an accuracy. My SOCOM was not the most accurate rifle I've ever owned. 2-3 MOA on a good day, versus my 'loaded' which is a 1 MOA rifle day in and day out.

Then again, I never really worked to make the SOCOM accurate. I bought it strictly for 'He Man' 3 gun tactical matches.

I found the SOCOM to be a very easy handling rifle. It would handle well in the environment you describe. Then again, the 18 inch Squad/Scout rifle is only 2 inches longer and you can use standard M1A/M14 flash hiders. The SOCOM uses a special muzzle brake than can't be changed out.

SOCOM

M1A 'Loaded'

M1A Really 'Loaded'

 

[glockman19]

Lee Emerson is the master of M1A's.

Everything you wanted to know about the M1A:

http://www.imageseek.com/m1a/

 

[GunTech]

+1 on Lee. Looks like we have to wait a couple of years for the third printing of his book.

 

[MassMark]

The SOCOM-16 is a great rifle. With the wide blade CQB sights, it's no tack driver, but it wasn't meant to be. Mount optics and/or a Trijicon Tripower and things change for the better in the accuracy department. As for "ditching the SA trigger group", my Springfield Armory trigger group in my SOCOM-16 is 100% USGI, so please send it to me if you decide to follow Onmilo's advice...

As for the front end, you are not stuck with the comp - unless you want to be. Arizona Response will modify your existing comp into a flash suppressor and Ron Smith over at SEI has plans for a Vortex....I like the comp just fine - it tames recoil perfectly and helps bring the rifle back to point toot-sweet. The mythological "giant flameball" is just that, as I have fired my SOCOM in near total darkness, (with night vision no less) and have not seen this beast....

If you buy, make sure to read a lot on the care and feeding of this fine rifle. There are tips and tricks which will make your experience enjoyable. I stopped counting at 7,500 rounds, but I must be dancing in the 8,000+ range for round count without a hitch....Enjoy!

Check this site out for a wealth of information: M-14 Forum

 

[Redheadedstranger]

Unfortunately, I do not own either rifle. This is the point where most would stop reading. However, my brother-in-law has a SOCOM and an M1A. I love the way the SOCOM handles and the "coolness factor" is off the chart. I undoubtedly shoot the M1A much better and I like the balance better. It just depends on preference, but I would have to give my vote to the full-size. I have plans of owning a Scout/Squad to split the difference for some of the reasons stated above. Go ahead and get both just in case.

 

[GunTech]

The mythological "giant flameball" is just that, as I have fired my SOCOM in near total darkness, (with night vision no less) and have not seen this beast....

Depends on the load. With hot 155s over 2520, I get a pretty imnpressive fireball with my SOCOM.

 

[BeJaRa]

this is my opinion so you can take it for what it is worth, but if you want an M1A get an M1A, if you want a socom2 you would probably be better off getting an FAL. I love the M1A platform and to me the standard 22" barrel wood stock parkarized finish is perfection. The M1A/m14 has in my opinion probably the best sights of any battle rifle ever made. But get what you like and shoot it alot before you start swapping out all the parts.

 

[nbkky71]

Depends on what you're going to do with the rifle frogomatic. For the average shooter the loaded really is the best choice. If you're going to complete then spend the $$$ and get the Supermatch.

I prefer my M1A with no rails... no gadgets... no optics. Just a quality 1907 leather sling and USGI NM sights.

Mine started life as a loaded model and was upgraded to NM specs by a retired USMC 2112. She's currently waiting for a new barrel, a double lug job and a McMillan stock.

 

[amprecon]

I had already owned and shot a Garand when I first fired a M-14 in 1993(?) for qualifications and fell in love. I had been coveting one ever since and until recently just looked at them on the internet. The one I own today is what I remember qualifying with. They are great rifles, a product improved Garand.